New York Islanders Send Chad Johnson Packing At Deadline

While no blockbusters were to be expected, New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow did pull off a few under the radar moves.

Garth Snow was very direct and to the point that the New York Islanders were going to sit tight come trade deadline. Snow, who’s known for bold moves, made sure to not keep his hand out of the cookie jar again.

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The Big move for the team was the Islanders moving their backup goalie Chad Johnson and a conditional 2016 draft pick to the Buffalo Sabres for goaltender Michal Neuvirth. Snow was done waiting for Johnson to turn his season around.

Johnson had a handful of solid games in February but possibly Saturdays game against the Carolina Hurricanes may have been the kicker for Snow. Johnson was 8-8-1 with a 3.08 goals-against average and .889 save percentage. He was just not good, it was obvious the team played a different brand of hockey when Johnson was in-goal.

Feb 26, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Michal Neuvirth (34) makes a save on a shot by the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Canucks 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Islanders are gearing up for a fight for the Metropolitan division and the playoffs, so Johnson’s inadequacies couldn’t be tolerated. Snow without a doubt upgraded the backup position with acquiring Michal Neuvirth from the Sabres.

Neuvirth is 6-17-3, carries a .918 save percentage and 2.99 goals-against. No doubt they’re decent numbers playing for the struggling Buffalo team who currently holds the last place spot in the NHL (3oth overall). Snow and the Isles cannot be as soft as they were in the backup position if they are going to make a run for the division title and the playoffs.

This is a solid move that should give the team and coach Jack Capuano the needed confidence when Jaroslave Halak takes a seat for the night.

Snow also went out and picked up from the San Jose Sharks Center Tyler Kennedy for a conditional pick in 2015 or 2016. Kennedy has 9 points in 25 games this season for the Sharks. They also traded David Leggio to the Arizona Coyotes for Defenseman Mark Louis. Louis has played 34 games with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League this season. Louis Has three assists and 77 minutes in penalties this season.

Another quiet move has Utica Comet Center Dustin Jeffrey who is 27 and has played 124 NHL games for winger Cory Conacher, pretty much a minor league deal. Seems as if Vancouver is trying to give Travis Green the Utica Comet head coach some players to add to his club.

Look for Neuvirth to join the team in Dallas for tomorrow nights game as the Islanders visit the Stars to kick off their final four game road trip.

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